The Fire District Study Preparation Committee has more work to do in the eyes of the Barnstable Town Council.

At last week's meeting, the council voted to have the committee meet with outside consultants on the recommendations included in the committee's report, including the preparation of a request for proposals.

The committee's report essentially said that after examining the issues relating to the fire services provided by the five fire districts, it did not have the expertise to perform the necessary analysis and prepare a request for proposals, as outlined in its original charge.

Members recommended that a committee be established to draft a request for proposal for firms to conduct a study of the effectiveness of the town's fire district system. It also suggested that the composition of that committee be inclusive of all stakeholders.

That recommendation falls short, however, in the eyes of councilor Gary Brown, who authorized the formation of the committee when he was council president.

"They've given us an excellent report, but I don't think their work is done. They haven't had enough time yet," Brown said.

Councilor Janice Barton chaired the study committee and suggested that the group remain in place and gather more information.

She supported the idea of a council workshop on the matter, bringing in some experts to answer questions.

Councilor and study committee member Ann Canedy offered a motion to bring consultants before the council in a workshop mode to answer questions before an RFP committee is established.

A motion to have the fire district study committee do that work was later approved, 7-5.

After hearing Canedy describe the work, which she said boils down a professional look at the numbers, COMM firefighter Chris Adams, a member of the study preparation committee, addressed the council.

Adams said he strongly disagreed with Canedy's assessment and asked the council to look at the committee's report.

Reading from the report, Adams said, "Any consideration of conducting less than a full and comprehensive study would be ineffectual and should be abandoned."

With regard to the council's direction to keep the study preparation committee intact and working, Adams said, "The committee as it's formed now feels that its work is done."

A Public Hearing

A public airing at last week's council meeting, gathered few fresh comments. There were two people who rose during what was termed a public hearing on the study.

Barnstable Village resident Peter Doiron didn't comment on the study, except to say that he had asked the Cape & Islands District Attorney's office to look into possible Open Meeting Law violations.

Hyannis resident Lou Gonzaga believes that more information is necessary, but not from consultants.

"I don't think you need to have an independent study and waste more money," he said.

Gonzaga said he supports consolidation, but only if it improves efficiency. He also suggested getting all of the financial information from all the districts and talking with the frontline firefighters and EMTs.

Given the low turnout to speak on the study, which was expected to draw heavy comment, Hyannis councilor Greg Milne asked whether the hearing was advertised.

Council President Hank Farnham said that the hearing was more informational than an official hearing, and therefore did not require public hearing notification.